Samsung speaks, Thunderbolt update [From the Forums]

Bam! The weekend is finally here and we're going to live it up while we can. If you missed out on the live show last night, we now have the Android Central and Mobile Nations podcasts up and ready for your listening pleasure. You can kick back, relax and listen to them while checking out these threads from the forums:

Managing downloaded application content

So you just bought this great game from the Android Market, and notice it says you have to download another 600 jiggawatts of files to run it. Don't be alarmed or surprised, if you haven't seen this yet, you will. But what is all that stuff, where does it go, and how do you get rid of it? I'm glad you asked!

What it is -- most times it's media files needed by the application itself. In our example (Dungeon Defenders First Wave), in addition to the 8MB app you download from the Android Market, you have to download another 645MB of things like movies, sounds, and in-game textures. Doing it this way solves two problems -- it keeps 658MB apps out of the Market, and keeps 658MB apps out of your app storage.

If all that data isn't installed with the app, where does it go then? It goes to your SD card or internal storage. It's up to the application developers exactly where on your SD card it goes, but a quick peek from your computer will easily find it. In our example, all that DLC (downloaded content) goes into a folder named DunDef. It sits there, just waiting for the time when the app needs any of it, not taking up valuable space for your installed apps.

This brings up two very important points -- you can't play the game without the SD card inserted and mounted, and when you uninstall the app there's a lot of stuff left behind. Both are easy to take care of. Don't try to play Dungeon Defenders without the right SD card in place or while you have the SD card mounted to your computer, and remember to delete the folder if you uninstall the game and have no intentions of ever reinstalling it. Deleting it is easy -- use a file manager or hook your phone up to your computer, find the right folder, and delete it. Just make sure you pick the right folder!

Android Central reader unboxes the Toshiba Thrive before we do

Can't wait to get your hands on the Toshiba Thrive? You're not alone. Android Central Forums member illwood has his already and has given it a proper tablet-on-carpet unboxing. It's one of the strong, silent unboxings, but it does the job, properly slitting the tape before raising the Honeycomb tablet aloft before the masses as a rainbow magically appears in the background.

Mobile Nations 2: Not yet begun to fight!

Kevin, Phil, and Rene discuss whether Google should buy RIM, how BlackBerry can fight back, is Google MIA in the patent wars, Google+ is here, the TouchPad has landed, and will there be a second new iPad this year? Bringing together the heads of state of Android, BlackBerry, iOS, webOS, and Windows Mobile for full on round-table action. This is Mobile Nations!

Gingerbread for the HTC Desire coming at the end of the month

Since HTC made the announcement that it would be bringing Gingerbread to the HTC Desire(minus some applications) they've been letting owners know where the update's at in testing. Most recently, HTC updated its Facebook page with the following details:

Hi everyone. We have more news about our build of Gingerbread for Desire. Our testing has gone well so we will begin rolling out the update by the end of July! Thank you again for your support!

There you have it, not an exact date but close enough to keep everyone in the loop and you can't really as much more then that.

HTC ThunderBolt reboot update finally appears to be imminent

Might it finally be happening? Might the HTC ThunderBolt finally be getting that long-awaited update to squash the reboots and bring a host of fixes be dropping ... soon? Tonight, according to a leaked screen and confirmed by Verizon's own support site. Build 1.70.605.0 brings:

Android 2.3.4 leaks out for the Samsung Galaxy SII

If you are a Samsung Galaxy SII owner, good news comes your way today in the form of a nice OS leak to give you something new to play around with. Some lucky folks have been given the files for Android 2.3.4 for the Samsung Galaxy SII, and they have released not only the ODIN flashable file, but also a deodexed version that can be flashed through CWM. The ROM will flash without wiping your data, which is always a huge plus as you won't need to set everything up again, and for full flashing instructions be sure to check out this thread.

HTC Panache 4G available now on Cincinnati Bell

The HTC Panache 4G, a.k.a. the HTC Glacier for regional carriers, is now available on Cincinnati Bell. Formerly exclusive to Canadian carrier Mobilicity, the Panache has a 1 GHz second-gen Snapdragon processor, a 3.8-inch WVGA screen with 480 x 800 resolution, front and rear-facing cameras, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Plus it's got HSDPA/HSUPA support, so it’ll be able to take advantage of Bell’s “4G” speeds. The Panache will set you back $199 after mail-in rebate on a two-year contract (or $499 without commitment) and is shipping as we speak.

IM+ for Android updated to v4.1.5 with a slew of additions

Having lots of friends that use a variation of IM protocols sometimes makes it rather difficult to keep track of everyone. Often times it means installing numerous apps and switching between them which not exactly the best solution for everyone. For this problem, IM+ exists and helps gather all your instant messaging clients into one robust application. Most recently, they've update IM+ to v4.1.5 and as such have included a lot of bug fixes and new features:

IM+ comes in two versions, a free ad-supported version and a pro version ($9.99). Both are available now in the Android Market. If you're in need of an app likes this, you'll find the download link after the break.

Win one of two EVO 3Ds from TeleNav, Sprint and Android Central

What could be better than the possibility of winning one of the hottest phones of the summer? How about two free phones? We're giving away not one but two Sprint HTC EVO 3D's, with some help from the folks at Sprint and TeleNav, whose TeleNav GPS Navigator app comes preloaded on the EVO 3D and is FREE for Sprint subscribers.

Motorola Droid 3 hitting doorsteps for those who ordered early

There it is, folks. The Motorola Droid 3. It's still not available in stores, of course, but Android Central Forums member wnflyer (sup!) already has his, declaring the following:

This phone has a great look and feel. Four inches is the "sweet spot."

And wnflyer's not alone. Member mfreeman73 has his, saying:

Just received mine. I've only just unboxed it and it's on the charger right now. Very nice looking phone. I'm using a Droid 1 right now and this is definitely a nicer phone. It says my batter was 60% when I first plugged it in. I'm going to let it charge a little and then turn it on.

Anybody else get their Droid 3 yet? Hit up the thread below and see what everyone's saying.

Android Quick App: WidgetLocker Lockscreen

WidgetLocker Lockscreen is a lockscreen replacement that gives you much more freedom over not only how your lockscreen looks, but how it functions. The premise is simple: Open up the lockscreen to having widgets and shortcuts of your choosing, and give you the ability to make any slider a shortcut to any app or process. The result is a pretty cool experience that really tightens up the efficiency factor of your device.

When you open WidgetLocker for the first time, you're greeted by a very informative walkthrough, showing you not only how to change your lockscreen up, but also how to access menus, activate Tool Mode, and remove sliders. There's also a tidbit about the 5-second rule that's worth knowing about.

Customizing your lockscreen is a fairly straightforward affair. Everything functions just as it would on a normal homescreen, so you can either long-press or do the menu > add route to pull up the applicable menu. From there, you're given the options to add another slider, applications, shortcuts, or widgets. It's all the same as doing anything on a homescreen, so you'll be treading in familiar territory.

Where things get really cool is the Custom Slider menu. TeslaCoil has packed the slider menu full of different themes, ranging from the stock Android slider to iOS's, MIUI to MotoBlur. Once you've picked your skin of choice, you slide the slider to configure what exactly you want it to do. This is rather limitless as well, giving you the requisite unlock option, in addition to WidgetLocker specialty actions, application shortcuts, or launcher-specific shortcuts.

WidgetLocker also boasts a highly variable and detailed settings menu. From here you can alter everything from which buttons unlock the screen to what WidgetLocker-specific widgets you want to use. You can also customize the look and feel of everything and a whole host of other things. If there's something you want to control, there's probably a menu option for it.

WidgetLocker is $1.99 in the Market, but with it's successful revamp as version 2.0 not too long ago, the price is well worth it. Especially if you're the type who wants things your way (and let's be honest, who isn't?), this is a must-have app.

Droid Incredible 2 getting ready for its Gingerbread update

Looks like the HTC Droid Incredible 2 on Verizon is about to get its long-awaited Gingerbread update. And the bump to Android 2.3 isn't all that's coming. Included in build 2.18.605.4 will be support for Verizon's new wireless charging, for which you'll a wireless charging battery cover. Also, you get:

Overall improvements to the performance of Mobile IM.

Resolved Hotmail sync & connect issues when setting up a one day sync.

Improvements to device connectivity when roaming on global GSM/UMTS networks.